Minnesota Olmstead goals fall short
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) says people with disabilities should have the same rights as everyone else. They should […]
Public Affairs
Minnesota strengthens accommodation rights under Human Rights Act
On August 1, Minnesotans with disabilities gained vital legal ground. Long-awaited amendments to the Minnesota Human Rights Act (MHRA) officially […]
Minnesota Legislature passes bill to strengthen disability accommodations
In a significant victory for the disability community, the Minnesota Legislature has officially passed Senate File 3210 (SF 3210). The […]
Senator Hoffman questions $300 million in human services cuts
A new Health and Human Services budget agreement has officially passed the Minnesota Legislature, but not without drawing sharp, passionate […]
Tighter budgets and tougher rules reshape Minnesota disability services
As the legislative session wraps up, Minnesota’s disability support system finds itself in a complex spot. While the most feared […]
Voices of resistance and hope resonate at Minnesota Disability Advocacy Day 2026
Chants of “No more cuts,” “Our homes, not nursing homes,” and “Disability rights are human rights,” echoed through the halls […]
Disability programs see mixed fates in Walz’s $907M bonding proposal
State lawmakers have less than two months to complete their work this session, with a May 18 adjournment deadline. One […]
Locking doors on scared children: The fight to end seclusion in Minnesota schools
When parents envision a special room for a child in distress, they likely picture beanbag chairs, soft lighting, and toys. […]
Walz calls for intensified efforts to combat fraud in state programs
Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order September 17 directing state agencies to intensify efforts to prevent, detect, and combat […]
Concerned about Medicaid changes? Here’s how to get involved
I’ve travelled across the state in recent months talking with hundreds of Minnesotans about changes to Medicaid that Congress made […]
More funding support
Six state legislators worked to secure more than $8.3 million in funding for Individual Placement and Support (IPS) services. The […]
Overtime session for state lawmakers, federal actions spark many fears
Failing to agree on key budgets, including health and human services and education, sent the 2025 Minnesota Legislature into overtime. […]
Harmful cuts to an array of federal programs would affect basic needs for many
The Minnesota Budget Project is alarmed by the large and harmful funding cuts being considered by U.S. House committees that […]
Two very different narratives are unfolding at Minnesota’s capitol
As the Minnesota Legislature wraps up the majority of its committee work with the first, second and third deadlines behind […]
One more time to rally
UPDATE: The Arc Minnesota livestreamed the May 3 Rally for Disability Funding and has posted pictures on their Facebook page. […]
Proposed cuts could cost Minnesota $1.6 billion annually, jeopardizing health coverage
State officials, doctors, patients and advocates kicked off a series of statewide roundtables educating Minnesotans on the impact of proposed […]
Proposed state budget revisions, legislative hurdles cause angst
A growing state budget deficit and the prospect of more cuts to disability services are eyed warily by Minnesota’s disability […]
Protecting ADA rights is goal
Can the Minnesotans with Disabilities Act preserve federal protections of reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities? A bipartisan group of […]
Disability Services Day draws more than 1,000 people to capitol
“Cuts have costs!” was the oft-repeated message March 18 as more than 1,000 advocates and their allies from across Minnesota […]
Defending services is capitol focus
Defense of disability services continues as the 2025 Minnesota legislative session chugs forward. Community members are pushing back against Gov. […]
Both parties must prioritize improving accessibility and support services for people with disabilities
In the wake of recent contentious battles and political maneuvering, Minnesota state lawmakers have limited time to craft and pass […]
New state budget proposal could bring cuts to disability services
Disability community advocates and organizational leaders are mobilizing in response to sweeping budget cuts proposed by Gov. Tim Walz. The […]
Session’s start brings worries about fiscal issues, state spending
The January 7 start of the 2025 legislative session has Minnesotans with disabilities worried about a weakening state fiscal position, […]
Minnesota’s care crisis raises questions for people with disabilities
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about one in four adults in Minnesota has a disability. Among those who […]
245D Bill of Rights workbooks available for people receiving waiver services
Minnesota’s Olmstead Plan was developed to ensure that people with disabilities are living, learning, working, and enjoying life in the […]
A House divided during the upcoming session
As Minnesota disability advocates and their organizations eye the start of the 2025 legislative session, there is much discussion about […]
With some uncertainty, work continues on legislation
New and familiar issues are on the Minnesota disability community’s agenda for the 2025 session of the Minnesota Legislature. Advocacy […]
Prepare for changes as the 2025 legislative session draws near
At a time when we’re taking down our Halloween décor, here’s a topic that may be challenging to start thinking […]
Preparing for 2025 advocacy at the capitol? Keep Access Press in mind
Much of my evening reading material these days centers on proposed legislation. The Minnesota Legislature gavels into session January 7, […]
Housing needs are again a focus
The need for stable housing, and resources to provide some of that housing with supportive services, will be a key […]
Despite a chaotic session end; many gains are celebrated
It was win some and wait until 2025 for the disability community, as the Minnesota Legislature’s 2024 session came to […]
Rideshare companies will remain
One closely watched issue for the 2024 Minnesota Legislature is that of how transportation network companies’ (TNC) drivers are compensated. […]
With no bonding bill, many accessibility projects have to wait until 2025, 2026
Capital projects vying for state bonding dollars may have to wait for 2025 or 2026, if a special legislative session […]
As adjournment draws near, lawmakers pick up the pace
Advocates for Minnesotans with disabilities are in the home stretch of the 2024 legislative session, as an adjournment date of […]
As 2024 session winds down, disability measures are facing mixed fates
Setting the stage What’s been a challenge this session is the caveat that advocates and their organizations do not make […]
Some bills clearing initial hurdles at capitol; others wait
With the first bill deadline in the rearview mirror, Minnesota disability advocates are pushing forward on bills that are still […]
A hurried 2024 legislative session means uncertainty for many bills
By Jane McClure As February drew to a close, uncertainty was a watchword at the state capitol. Everyone was waiting […]
Was a compromise reached on use of restraint in Minnesota schools?
As February ended, it appeared that middle ground had been reached on the controversial issue of school resource officers and […]
Preparation takes place under cloud
By Jane McClure The 2024 legislative session starts February 12, with caution that this is likely to be much more […]
Access improvements are among bonding requests
by Jane McClure The wheels are turning toward the start of Minnesota’s 2024 legislative session. The session starts at noon […]
Debate over using restraint goes on in state’s school
Use of restraints in schools continues to generate controversy throughout Minnesota. There may be a move toward some student resource […]
Doors open for TEFRA
Many Minnesota families with disabled children are celebrating changes to a key state assistance program. Changes to the Tax Equity and […]
2023 session provided transformational changes
Minnesotans with disabilities had plenty to celebrate when the 2023 Minnesota Legislature gaveled to a close May 22. A wide […]
Emergency’s end means changes
The federal COVID-19 public health emergency declaration ended on May 11. But COVID-19 is still with us and is still […]
Nursing homes, state academies, True Friends are winners in bonding
As time ran out on the 2023 session, Minnesota legislators hammered together a $2.6 billion infrastructure and nursing home aid package. […]
2023 Disability Services Day highlighted waivers, wages
Minnesota’s historic state surplus has renewed calls for legislators and Gov. Tim Walz to invest the state’s care system for […]
All eyes are on the May 22 session end date
May 22 is the final day of the 2023 Minnesota Legislature’s regular session. The push is on to reach agreement […]
Mental health system changes are championed
Building Minnesota’s mental health system requires work on several fronts, and addressing needs of many different groups. Children’s mental health, employment […]
Targets to launch the numbers game
A potential spending outline that would use up most if not all of the state’s record surplus is on the […]
Grant program’s focus is opioids
As opioids continue to devastate people and families across Minnesota, a new set of state grants focuses on communities bearing the […]
